The most harmful effect of fake news, and disinformation in general, is the weakening of institutions, believes journalist and writer José Pedro Martins, one of the guests at the “Fake News in Meteorology” forum, held this Wednesday morning, 27, in the auditorium of the Social Benefits Management Group (GGBS) Unicamp.
José Pedro is editor of Agência Social de Notícias de Campinas and author of books in the areas of environment, human rights, culture and history. He cited several examples of political use of disinformation with the aim of discrediting serious dissemination and research organizations. According to him, the misrepresentation affects sensitive areas such as human rights, science, health and climate.
For José Pedro, media literacy is one of the main tools for combating misinformation. Furthermore, it is necessary to expand the debate on the subject and increase the dissemination of qualified information, a fundamental role played by universities.
The forum was organized by the Center for Meteorological and Climate Research Applied to Agriculture (Cepagri) at Unicamp, with the support of the Executive Secretariat for Communication (SEC). Meteorologist Ana Ávila, a Cepagri researcher, spoke about the importance of correct information in meteorology. She traced a historical path between advances in the area, in parallel with technological changes.
The consequences of false information and rumors in the work of Civil Defense was the topic addressed by Sidnei Furtado, director of the Civil Defense department of Campinas. Sidnei commented on the work that the organization does to deny distortions and untruths that spread through the internet and social networks.
